June Video of the Month - Hermit Crab

Today I am excited to be starting a new feature on the blog, "Video of the Month".  While out in the field or in the lab with students we are sometimes able to capture amazing and special moments on film.

The video this month is an acadian hermit crab (Pagurus acadianus) switching shells.  Watch carefully because the switch happens in the first couple of seconds.

The acadian hermit crab carries an abandoned gastropod (snail) shell on its back to protect its soft abdomen.  They will switch shells as they grow.  The shell this crab has chosen is from a waved whelk (Buccinum undatum). 

This video is courtesy of a student from Crescent School who patiently waited to capture this event in our teaching lab.  Thank you Jason!